Catch-bolt of locks, latches, and the like



March 19, 1935. J. BERRYMAN CATCH BOLT OF LOCKS, LATCHES, AND THE LIKE Filed May 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 19, 1935. BERRYMAN I 1,995,091

CATCH BOLT OF LOCKS LATCHES, AND THE LIKE Filed May 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m K O I O n) Ira/Mani a}? Zl Zerzjm.

Patented Mar. 19, 1935 THE :lohn Berryman, Gloucester, England, assignor to Charles Chester Berryman, London, England Application May in, 19s4,seria-1.No.-r26,1i In Great Britain January 26, 1933 "9 Glaims.

15 the like purposes are normally pressed outwards (ejected) and maintained in the projected position by means-of a spring or springs and so that when such latch-bolt is withdrawn (retracted) against the action of such spring or springs the latter will return =(eject) said latch-bolt instantly upon release of the handle or other operating means.

According to the present invention there is provided .a latch having a yielding'ly projected latch-bolt, a handle operable from one side of the latch to retract the latch-bolt and a separate locking-device operable from the other side of the latch for locking and retracting the latch-bolt.

In its preferred form the invention comprises a latch having in combination a yieldingly-shot latch-bolt, and two independently movable handles operable from opposite sides of the door to which the latch is to be attached, each of which handles is capable of independent movement to withdraw. the latch-bolt and one of which handles is a locking handle, capableof movement additional to the withdrawing movement, to lock the bolt against withdrawal by the other handle. The latch-bolt may be urged towards its locking position by a yieldingly-controlled lever and the locking handle be operatively connected to a latch-bolt controlling member, movement of which in one direction from a normal position serves to'bring it into contact with the lever to withdraw the bolt and movement of which in the opposite direction from the normal position serves to bring it into a position where it stands in the path of the withdrawal movement of the lever or bolt and locks the same.

The locking handle may be carried on a spindle mounted to turn about an axis eccentric to that v of the yieldingly controlled lever and the latchcontrolling member be .mountedon the spindle of the locking handle. The non-locking handle may be directly mounted-on the pivot-spindle of the yieldingly-controlled lever. The :lever is preferably yieldingly controlled by a counterweight,

:one constructional form the latch-controlling memb eris provided with means to co-operate with the ,counterweighted lever whereby the counterweight holds the latch-icontrolling memher in its normal posit-ion and yield-ingly .opposes withdrawal movement in the one-direction or movement towards the other-direction. f v Preferably an aperture for insertion of akey is provided :on =the side of the latch opposite to the docking handle and the latch-controlling .5 member-is adaptedito be engaged by the key so as to be moved into or out-of its locking position thereby.- Ihe' key-axis'may be concentric with axis of the latch-controlling member. The invention further comprises in a latch the combination rofa sliding 'l'atch-bolt, a counterweightedbell-cran'k 'lever for yieldingly advancing the latch-bolt and a rotatable handle for retracting the latch-bolt operatively connected tosaid bellcranklever; I In? order that the invention may be clearly understood the same will now be described more particularly, reference being taken to the accompanying drawings, in 'Which:---

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show side elevations, in part section, 0f one form of the invention in different positions of the latch-bolt and its associated mechanism. I

Figure ilshows an end elevation in section of the invention tak'en-onthe line C-D of Figure 1. b

Figure 5 shows the type of key used with invention-of Figures Cl, 2,3 and 4. V c

Figure 56 shows an end elevation and partsectional view taken along the line AB of Figure 1.

Figured shows a detail of theactuating mechamsm;

Figure :8 shows a side elevation of a modified form-ofthe invention.

Referring :to' the embodiment of the invention shown'iniii igures 1-7, a casing l, preferablyof sheet metal, encloses alatc'h-bolt 2 and its associated mechanism. The latch-bolt 2 is supported at its outer end by, "and is slida-ble in, an opening 3 in an end-wal-l-of the casing 1'. The other end is swingably supported through the intervention :of a screw 4a or any other suitable means, :by an arm 4 of a counterweighted, bellcrank lever 5, pivotally supported by a spindle 6. The weighticomprises substantially the two arms locking position in the 4,5 of a bell-cranklever and these arms may conveniently be at right angles to each other, although no restriction-heed be imposed upon the angle supported between them. The pivotal point liessubstantially in the angle formed .between-the twoarms; The spindle '6 is supported at either end by the sides; of the casing 1 and apertures are formed in the casing 'for' this purpose as well as -for the purposeof serving as bearings for the spindle. The spindle 6 is keyed to the -counterweig-hted lever 5 by a screw which passes through a portion of the weight and has its end in contact with the spindle as shown; One end '7 of the spindle 6 projects beyond the casing in order that a handle or knob 8 may be secured thereto in order to rotate the spindle 6. As can be seen from the drawings any rotation of the spindle 6 will have a tilting effect upon the weight so that the arm 4 will swing about an arc and operate the latch-bolt 2 in substantially a horizontal direction. A washer 9 maintains the weight in its proper position in the easing and a washer 10 prevents frictional, contact.

In order that the latch-bolt 2 may be locked in its normal position, a latch-controlling mem-' ber 11 (Figure 7) is provided within the out-out portion, or between the, arms 4,,5. 'Ihislatchcontrolling member takes the form of a cam supported upon a spindle 12 which passes through and projects on the oppositeside of the c'asing to the spindle 6. A handle or knob 13 is keyed or otherwise secured to the spindle 12, and the spindle 12 is in turn secured to the cam 11 by means of a screw 13. The cam 11 is provided with two projections 14 and 15, the projection 14 beingformed by a longer radius from the centre of the spindle 12 than the projection 15. Between 14 and 15 a hollow 16 is formedon the cam for a purpose to be shortly described. Along the inner side of the arm 5, a projection 17 is formed and at the end of the arm 4'on the inner surface a projection 18 is formed this-having a flat side 19 facing the spindle6. Assuming the latch to be in itsshot or projected position (Figure 1), if the cam 11 be rotated in a clockwise direction by means of the knob 13, the projection 14 thereon will engage with the projection 1'? on the weight member 5 and the weight 5 will be lifted and caused to pivoton the spindle 6 and withdraw the bolt.

In order to facilitate the operation the engag ing surfaces of projections 14 and 17 are made sloping so that they will readily tend to slide past each other when pressure is applied, thus facilitating the operation of the latch-bolt. The bolt after its complete withdrawal is shown in Figure 2. Upon releasing the knob 13 theparts will fall back to the position shown in Figure l, the projection 17 of the weight 5 falling within the hollow, 16 and holding the cam in the normal position shown. If now the knob 13 be rotated in an anti clockwise direction so as to force the projection 17 out of the hollow 16 (which movement is at first yieldingly opposed by the counterweight) it will finally reachthe position shown in Figure 3 in which a surface of the projection 14 comes into contactwith the flat side 19 of the projection 18 on the arm 4 (Figure 3) and thus lock the bolt against withdrawal. If desired a recess 20 may be formed on projection 14 to receive projection 18. Figure 3 shows the locked position of the cam and latch-bolt and if the knob 8, which is arranged to be on that side of the lock or casing which is on the exterior side of the room, cupboard, or whatever it is desired to have locked, be now turned it will be impossible to unlock or withdraw the latch-bolt 2, since the latter in tending to move inwardly will merely, make the projection 18 engage with greater pressure upon the projection 14 or the recess 20. The point of engagement between these movable parts lies along or slightly past the dead-centre line of the cam 11 and its spindle 12 so that no amount of pressure upon the latch-bolt or the weight mechanism will unlock the latch-bolt.

,Thus no one operating the knob 8 can, withdraw the latch. On the exterior side of-the look, i. e. on the same side as'the knob 8, provision is made for a key 21, the axis of which is the same as the axis of cam 11. On the cam member 11 provision is made for engaging with the key so that the cam may be actuated and the latch-bolt operated. In Figures 1, 2, 3 and 7 a hollowed out portion 22 is shown for the reception of the tip ofthe'key 23. It can be readily seen that wards could be provided within the space 22 or on the surface of the cam so that only a key having a particular design can operate the lock. Further a guide member 24 can be fitted or formed on the same side .of the casing. as it is desired to use the key and this may also be formed in-such manner that it fits veryclosely around the end portion of the key so that only a particular key can; be used. The key is shown as having an extended portion 25 for engaging with an aperture formed in the end of the spindle 12.

With this arrangement, a door can be locked from the inside without a key and it will be impossible to-open it again except from the inside, save by a person possessing the key. Again the door can be locked from the outside with the key, and the key removed so that the door cannot be opened again from the, outside except by the key.

In an embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 8 a latch-bolt 2a is slidably supported at both ends, at the outer end inan opening 3 in the casing as before and at its inner end in a guide 26 having a central offset portion 2'! adapt ed to receive the inner end of the latch-bolt. The strap 26 maybe secured in any well known mannor to the casing or may, be formed as a part of the casing. Engagement is made with a pivot: ally mounted weight So as before, the latchbolt however, not being supported at its inner end by the arm 4a of the weight. A recess 261s formed on the upper surface of the latch-bolt for the purpose of receiving the projecting end of the arm ea. Preferably the opening width of the recess 28 is made smaller than the intermediate portion as shown so that plenty of room for the tip of the swinging arm 4a will be provided without there being any lost motion between the arm and the latch-bolt. As before the spindle 6 will be actuated by a knob on the outside of the door or lid to which the latch is applied so that the latchbolt can be withdrawn and when the knob is re leased the weight 5a will be free to. shoot the bolt again to its normal position.

In this case the cam 11 has been replaced as a latch-controlling member by a swinging lever 28 actuated by aspin dle 29 projecting through the exteriorside wall'of the casing at one end and to the interior of" the casing at its other end. A knob 13a may conveniently be secured to the spindle 29 so that the same may be actuated from the inside of the door. 7 When the knob"13a.is rotated in such direction as to bring the lever 28 into. the dotted position shown in Figure 8, the weight 5a can be raised and the'lat ch' bolt withdrawn. -When the knob is released the weight falls back'as before moving the bolt with it; "Upon rotating knob' 13a in the opposite direction, ii e. so as to bring the lever 28 into the 'full' line posi to fall into a. recess cut or otherwise formed in the upper surface of the latch-bolt. If new pressure be exerted upon the knob on spindle 6 on the outside of the door, it will be impossible to unlock the same, since the recess 30 engages with the lever 28 at a point beyond the latters dead-centre. In this case the door can only be unlocked by actuation of knob 13a on the inside of the door or by a key arranged as before on the outside or the door and arranged to engage directly with the end of the spindle 29 by any well known means (not shown).

I claim:

1. A latch having in combination a yieldingly shot latch-bolt, and two independently movable handles operable from opposite sides of the door to which the latch is to be attached, each of which handles is capable of independent movement to withdraw the latch-bolt and one of which handles is a locking handle, capable of movement additional to the withdrawing movement, to lock the bolt against withdrawal by the other handle.

2. In a latch the combination of a casing, a latch-bolt slidably mounted therein, a counterweighted lever pivoted therein and having an arm engaging said latch-bolt to eject the same under the influence of the counterweight, a withdrawing handle upon the pivot of the counterweighted lever outside the casing to one side thereof, a latch-controlling member within the casing to engage the counterweighted lever pivoted about a second axis and a withdrawing handle upon the axis of said latch-controlling member located outside the casing to the other side thereof from the first said handle.

3. In a latch the combination of a casing, a latch-bolt slidably mounted therein, a yieldinglycontrolled lever pivoted therein and having an arm engaging said latch-bolt to eject the same under the influence of the yielding control, a withdrawing handle upon the pivot of the yieldingly-controlled lever outside the casing to one side thereof, a latch-controlling member within the casing to engage the yieldingly-controlled on the one hand and the withdrawal position on the other.

5. A latch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the casing wall is provided with an aperture for insertion of a key'is provided on the side of the latch opposite to the locking handle and the latch-controlling member is adapted to be engaged by the key so as to be moved intov or out of its locking position thereby. b

6. A latch as claimed in claim 3 wherein the casing wall is provided with an aperture for insertion of a key is provided on the side of the latch opposite to the locking handle and the latch-controlling member is adapted to be engaged by the key so as to be moved into, or out of its locking position thereby.

7. A latch as claimed in claim 3 wherein the casing wall is provided with an aperture concentric with the axis of the latch-controlling member for insertion of a key is provided on the side of the latch opposite to the locking handle and the latch-controlling member is adapted to be engaged by the key so as to be moved into or out of its locking position thereby.

8. In a latch the combination of a casing, a latch-bolt slidably mounted therein, a'oounterweighted lever pivoted therein and having an arm engaging said latch-bolt to eject the same under the influence of the counterweight, a withdrawing handle upon the pivot of the counterweighted lever outside .the casing to one side thereof, a latch-controlling member within the casingto engage the counterweighted lever pivoted about a second axis, a withdrawing handle upon the axis of said latch-controlling member located outside the casing to the other side thereof from the first said handle, a stop associated with the latch-controlling memberand adapted to be moved, when the latch-controlling member is moved in a direction opposite to that for lifting the lever and withdrawing the bolt, into a position to lie in the path of withdrawal of said lever to preventwithdrawal by the withdrawing handle.

. 9. In a latch the combination of a casing, a latch-bolt slidably moimted therein, a yieldinglycontrolled lever pivoted therein and having an arm engaging said'latch-bolt to eject the same under the influence of the yielding control, a Withdrawing handle upon the pivot of the yieldingly-controlled lever outsidethe casing to one side thereof, a latch-controlling member within the casing to engage the yieldingly-controlled lever pivoted about a second axis, a withdrawing handle upon the axis of said latch-controlling member located outside the casing tothe other side thereof from the first said handle, a stop associated with the latch-controlling member and adapted to be moved, when the latch-controlling member is moved in a direction opposite to that for lifting the lever and withdrawing the bolt, into. a position to lie in the path of withdrawal of said lever to prevent withdrawal by the withdrawing handle.

JOHN BERRYMAN. 

